THE PROCESS OF CREATION

Genesis 1:2-5

2. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep... 3. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4. And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5. God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day.

EXPOSITION

The above passage captures the process of creation. For there to be a creation or production of something, there must first be a CONCEPTION of its image (imagination) in the mind of the creator/producer. It takes an imaginative mind to create. God is the Father of all dreamers, that was why He could see the light in the confusion, the formlessness, the voids and the darkness that was upon the deep.

The second step in the creative process is SPEAKING IT FORTH. Words are substance. And the creative power of the spoken word cannot be over-emphasised. APPRAISAL is also one of the processes of creation. God didn’t just stop at the appearance of the light. He appraised it, saw that it was good. But He did not stop there, He went ahead to DIVIDE the light from the darkness, thus FINE-TUNING even the good product He had created to make it better.

Another creative step derived from the above passage is IDENTIFICATION. After "refining" Light from darkness (that was the first refinery activity in the book!), God gave each a name or an identity, calling the light Day and the darkness, Night.

What makes a day? According to the last part of verse 5, the evening and the morning made the very first day in world history. Surely that calls for some meditation and, perhaps, re-orientation if you believe otherwise.

Shalom!

3 LESSONS

It's my pleasure to share with you the 3 lessons I gleaned from the Bible today. Enjoy and be blessed by them.

1 Samuel 4:1-11

Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines, and encamped beside Ebenezer; and the Philistines encamped in Aphek. 2 Then the Philistines put themselves in battle array against Israel. And when they joined battle, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men of the army in the field. 3 And when the people had come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the LORD defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh to us, that when it comes among us it may save us from the hand of our enemies.” 4 So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from there the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, who dwells between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5 And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. 6 Now when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, “What does the sound of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” Then they understood that the ark of the LORD had come into the camp. 7 So the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “God has come into the camp!” And they said, “Woe to us! For such a thing has never happened before. 8 Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. 9 Be strong and conduct yourselves like men, you Philistines, that you do not become servants of the Hebrews, as they have been to you. Conduct yourselves like men, and fight!” 10 So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and every man fled to his tent. There was a very great slaughter, and there fell of Israel thirty thousand foot soldiers. 11 Also the ark of God was captured; and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.

Lesson 1:

DEMONSTRATING THE POWER OF GOD

Everyone living has the breath of God in him or her, otherwise they won’t be alive. But that does not mean that everyone can operate in the power and anointing of God. The ability to operate in the power and anointing of God is, to a large extent, determined by the individual. Is he/she a worthy vessel to manifest the divine power and abilities or not? In the passage above, the Israelites jubilated when the Ark of Testimony was brought into their camp. With the Ark in their camp, they expected an easy run over their enemies. It had made them prevailed over challenges before, it would definitely aid them again. But the Ark was carried there by and was also in care of two unworthy vessels, Hophni and Phinehas, the sons of Eli. Therefore it did not perform the purpose which they brought it for.

Lesson 2:

THE PRESENCE OF GOD AND SUCCESS OR FAILURE

The fact that the presence of God, symbolised by the Ark, is in a venture does not guarantee the success of that endeavour if the people are not right. A project can have God’s approval and still fail if the people involved are not the right breed or are not aright with God. God was seated between the cherubim in the Ark that was brought to the camp of the Israelites but they were still routed in the battle by the Philistines and 30,000 of them were killed in the process.

Lesson 3:

WHAT REALLY MATTERS

It takes self motivation to succeed and prevail in the battles of life. If the Philistines had given up and withdrawn when they heard about the Ark of God that was brought into the Israelites camp – especially in view of the many terrible things they had heard that God had done to the Egyptians and anyone who dared to cross the path of the Israelites – they would not have known that they could in fact win that war. But they encouraged themselves to go ahead and fight all the same. And they won the battle.

Therefore, IT IS NOT WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE OTHER SIDE THAT DETERMINES THE OUTCOME OF A MATTER. IT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING AT YOUR SIDE THAT DOES; WHAT YOU ARE TELLING YOURSELF? WHAT YOU ARE DOING? HOW YOU ARE PREPARING? etc etc, these are what really matter and determine the result you get in most cases.

Thanks for reading.

Shalom!

NATURE DOES NOT SUFFER VACUUM

1 Samuel 16

1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.” 2 And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” But the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.” 4 So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5 And he said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons, and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him!” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees;[a] for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 8 So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down[b] till he comes here.” 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!” 13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. 15 And Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely, a distressing spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let our master now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. And it shall be that he will play it with his hand when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, and you shall be well.”

Vs. 1: When someone loses his calling and ministry, God wastes no time in replacing him or her. Nature does not suffer vacuum and the divine assignment on the earth must go on. As a saying goes, ‘when someone is messing up, another person is warming up to take charge and continue the task’. This was exactly what happened in the case of Saul and David. Once God rejected Saul as king over Israel, He immediately set machinery in motion to anoint David as the next king. Now, here is an observation that I find very interesting. Even after the anointing of David as king over Israel, Saul still remained the king and ruled over Israel for a number of years. Wow! That means that the fact that someone is in position of power or authority today does not mean he or she is really there! In the eyes of God, Saul was no more the king over Israel, but he still reigned in the kingdom until he was eventually eliminated.

Vs. 2-3: When God gives someone a charge, He would give the strategy by which he can accomplish the task, if he takes the pain to ask Him. But oftentimes, we tend to run with the assignment without taking time to ask God for the strategy. If not for the fear of losing his life, Samuel would not have had cause to ask God how he was going to anoint David as king when Saul was still alive and on the throne. But when he expressed his fear, God, Who was never short of ideas, told him how he should go about it. And it worked!

Vs. 14: Vacuum is one thing that Nature does not allow at any point in time. That is why the place of the Spirit in every man will either be occupied by the Spirit of God or another spirit. In the case of Saul, immediately the Spirit of God departed from him, a distressing spirit took over and began to influence his behaviours henceforth.

GOD’S PERCEPTION Vs. MAN’S PERCEPTION

Vs. 7: The way and “what” God sees are quite different from the way and “what” men see. Men usually look at the exteriors, God considers the interiors; men regard the action, God looks at the motive; men are impressed with the presentation, God is impressed with the preparation; men focus on the container, God’s focus is on the content; men applaud the stunts, God appraises the heart and the list goes on.

THE CHARACTER OF SUCCESS

WHAT IS SUCCESS?

Success is knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others. - John Maxwell

Success is not determined by acquisitions or opulence. It is the ultimate fulfilment of an identified purpose – grand or small – for the benefit of others, the glory of God, and the fulfilment of the person. - Babatunde Oladele

WRONG CONCEPTS OF SUCCESS

• Having money, riches and wealth
• Having many properties and assets
• Being popular and in the news at all times
• Having fleet of cars
• Having many children
• Marrying many wives
• Having many admirers
• Being a public figure
• Being the envy of everyone around etc

WHAT IS GOD’S CONCEPT OF SUCCESS?

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom. Let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me. That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.

Joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

WHAT IS THE CHARACTER OF SUCCESS?

Success is fulfilling an identified personal life purpose with:

• The fear of God
• Integrity
• Sound Ethical Values
• A Sense of Mission
• Compassion
• Character

Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure. - Jim Rohn

If you develop the habits of success, you will make success a habit. - Michael E. Angier

The common denominator of success lies in forming the habit of doing things that failure don’t like to do. - Albert Gray

CHOICES

REFERENCE SCRIPTURE

Joshua 24:15: And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

CHOOSING RIGHTLY

1. CHOOSING GOD (LIFE)

Deuteronomy 30:19

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live

2. CHOOSING THE KINGDOM

Matthew 6:33:

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Colossians 3:1-3

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

3. CHOOSING THE NEEDFUL & THE GOOD PART

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Luke 10:38-42

Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO MADE POSITIVE CHOICES IN THE BIBLE AND THE CONSEQUENCES

Noah chose to listen to God’s instruction and went on to build the ark in spite of general ridicule.

CONSEQUENCE: He was able to save his life and members of his household when the flood came. (Genesis 6 & 7)

Abraham chose to let go and decided to sacrifice his son Isaac to God.

CONSEQUENCE: God blessed him greatly. (Genesis 22)

Lot decided to host the (Angels) visitors and bear the wrath of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah by not releasing them (the visitors) to them to be defiled.

CONSEQUENCE: He and his family were spared from the divine judgment that befell the cities. (Genesis 19)

Joseph chose not to shortcut his destiny by giving in to the momentary pleasures of sleeping with Potiphar’s wife

CONSEQUENCE: He rose to the number two person in Egypt, the most powerful country in the world then. (Genesis 39 & 41)

Two spies, Joshua and Caleb, brought good reports about the Promised Land.

CONSEQUENCE: They ended up getting there, while others were destroyed in the wilderness. (Numbers 13 & 14)

Rahab risked her life by hiding the two spies that were sent to spy the land of Jericho

CONSEQUENCE: She had her life and that of her whole family saved when the Israelites conquered the city. (Joshua 2 & 6)

Ruth chose to follow Naomi and submitted to her mentoring

CONSEQUENCE: She ended up marrying Boaz, a very wealthy man, and also became the grandmother of David as well as the ancestress of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Ruth 1-4)

David chose not be intimidated by size, but launched out to fight Goliath.

CONSEQUENCE: He won the battle and earned national honour as a result. (1 Samuel 17)

Solomon asked God for wisdom rather than riches and honour

CONSEQUENCE: God gave him more than he asked for. (1 Kings 3)

Elisha chose to ignore the ‘sons of the prophets’ and followed Elijah all through till he was taken to heaven.

CONSEQUENCE: He got a double portion of the anointing of Elijah. (2 Kings 2)

The Shunamite woman took it upon herself to always host Elisha whenever he was in town.

CONSEQUENCE: God gave her a son after many years in marriage. (2 Kings 4:8-17)

Namaan, the Syrian general, listened to the advice of his servants and went to bathe in river Jordan as Elisha had instructed.

CONSEQUENCE: He came out cleansed of his leprosy. (2 kings 5:1-19)

King Hezekiah chose to cry out to God, rather than mourn, when he was told he would die from his sickness.

CONSEQUENCE: God healed him and added 15 years to his life. (2 Kings 20:1-11)

Esther chose to risk her life for the salvation of her people by going in to the king’s chamber uninvited, after praying and fasting for three days!

CONSEQUENCE: God gave her favour and the Jews were spared. (Esther 4, 5 & 8)

Job chose to remain faithful to God in spite of his many great afflictions.

CONSEQUENCE: God restored him and gave him twice everything he lost. (Job 1 & 42)

Daniel chose not to compromise the rules of God while in the king’s palace

CONSEQUENCE: He was outstanding among his peers. (Daniel 1) He also chose to defy the king’s command and pray to God

CONSEQUENCE: God spared his life and eliminated all his enemies. (Daniel 6)

Meshach, Shedrach, and Abednego chose not to displease God by bowing to the idols of Nebuchadnezzar

CONSEQUENCE: God spared their lives in the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3)

The prodigal son chose to repent and go home to his father after squandering all his wealth.

CONSEQUENCE: He was warmly received and celebrated by his father. (Luke 15:11-24)

Peter chose to repent after denying Jesus 3 different times.

CONSEQUENCE: He was restored and later became the head of the apostles.

EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE WHO MADE NEGATIVE CHOICES IN THE BIBLE AND THE CONSEQUENCES

Eve chose to listen to the reasoning of the serpent against the instruction of God Adam also listened to the lures of his wife.

CONSEQUENCE: They both ended up being banished from the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 3)

The wife of Lot looked back in spite the angels’ instruction not to do so.

CONSEQUENCE: She became a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19)

Isaac stayed in Gerar in obedience to God, in spite of the great famine there

CONSEQUENCE: He prospered beyond all human reasoning. (Gen 26:1-14)

Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of porridge.

CONSEQUENCE: He lost his father’s blessings as a result. (Genesis 25:29-34)

The ten spies chose to see the negative things in the Promised Land and therefore brought an evil report about the place to the Israelites.

CONSEQUENCE: They never got there. (Numbers 13 & 14)

King Saul chose to go against the counsel of God by sparing the life of Agag, the king of the Amalek, and bringing home the best of the land.

CONSEQUENCE: God rejected him as king over Israel. (1 Samuel 15:1-28)

David chose to stay home at a time when kings go out to fight wars, and got involved with Bathsheba, impregnated her, and killed her husband to save face.

CONSEQUENCE: He brought curse and blood upon his own household as a result. (2 Samuel 11-12:14)

Solomon married heathen women who influenced and led him astray from God

CONSEQUENCE: God tore the kingdom of Israel from him and gave it to his servant. (1 Kings 11:1-11)

Rehoboam chose to listen to the advice of youths on governance over the ones given him by the elders.

CONSEQUENCE: The kingdom of Israel was divided into two during his days, with only two tribes left for him to rule. (1 Kings 12:1-19)

This prophet of Judah disobeyed the prior instruction of God not to stay in the land.

CONSEQUENCE: A lion killed him on his way. (1 Kings 13:1-24) Lesson: You alone, and no one else, are responsible for whatever instruction God gave you.

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, went to Namaan to collect some money without his master’s knowledge.

CONSEQUENCE: He inherited Namaan’s leprosy as well. (2 Kings 5)

Queen Vashti chose to disregard her husband’s invitation to come and show herself to the nobles

CONSEQUENCE: She lost the queenship of the kingdom of Persia to Esther. (Esther 1)

Hamaan chose to be bitter about Mordecai’s perceived insolence to him, and earnestly sought to take his life and wipe out his people, the Jews, as well.

CONSEQUENCE: He ended up being hung on the gallows he prepared for Mordecai. (Esther 5 & 6)

Judas, after betraying Jesus, chose regret over repentance.

CONSEQUENCE: He went to hang himself. (Matthew 27:3-5)

Ananias and Sapphira connived to lie to the church.

CONSEQUENCE: They paid for it with their lives. (Acts 5)